Posts Tagged ‘homes’

Real Estate Contact Management- Why Agents want to Forget about Tech Support!

March 9th, 2010

I’ve been teaching real estate agents how to leverage technology in their businesses since the early days of DOS and when mobile phones were called Car Phones because they had to be bolted to your automobile because there were no batteries small enough to carry around or antennas that didn’t require a windshield to be suction cupped to. One of my crowning achievements was to work for the company that literally introduced the laptop computer to the real estate industry. Back then it weighed about ten pounds, had a monochrome screen and a hard-drive smaller than what an iPod Nano can hold today. A lot of things have changed since then.

However, it’s the tech support that seems to have withstood the tests of time and the individuals there aren’t any better. Did you know that everytime you have a problem with your Real Estate CRM program the technical support people usually have no idea how to resolve your issues? I have two slides in my PowerPoint presentation that talks about all the irritating things technical support people say and ask. The titles are: “Do you have a brick or a sledgehammer handy?” and “Please hold for Mr. Gate’s attorney.” I have several others, but we’ll save those for the live seminars in your area.

The problem with tech support when dealing with Real Estate CRM is that most of the people there don’t even use the software. They are almost like a smoke screen instead of any concrete help. My guess is none of them as ever sold real estate either. So basically if you have a question about Real Estate Contact Management software, the help you retain from the conversation is going to be minimal. Their main goal is to help you with those “error” messages. It’s just one of the many issues that consumers complain about regarding technical support for programs like Top Producer and AgentOffice. Can you imagine trying to do a mail merge in your word processoor for your contacts and everytime you click the print button one letter pops up and the printer stops? Once you are irritated beyond belief you finally call tech support for the answer. The only problem is you have to hold for long periods of time (which has steam coming out your ears) and when you finally talk with you they have a series of questions. Unfortunately they only make matters worse by asking if other programs similar to the one you have find issues as well. Uh, hello? Why would we have more than one? Probably the funniest part is going through all the same stuff you tried already and wasting another hour to 2 hours time. So what is their final answer; “Well, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with your software.” Thank freaking goodness, now can you fix the bleeping problem already! One time I had a person tell me technical support said; “Maybe you shouldn’t try to use it to do mail merges.” Really?

Sadly, the problem all along was not with the software. You didn’t have a “technical” issue; you had an “educational” issue. It turns out you were trying to prepare a form letter from the wrong part of the program or you were skipping a simple step that was telling the software to print “to the contact” not “to the group.” Even more sad is the fact that most tech support people don’t want to admit that they don’t know all the steps to preparing a mail merge and they do their best to make you feel like the idiot while they get on to the next waiting victim.

Then of course you can’t forget about the cost attached to inferior technical support. Top Producer says their tech support is free, but you actually pay $39 a month for the program. AgentOffice gives you a month free when you purchase their software, but if something goes wrong you have to pay $295 for a year long support contract. Heck, this is the same price as purchasing the program!

My point here is, if you just take the time to get trained on the program you purchase, life with Real Estate Contact Management software will be much easier. Just think of it as a good health strategy. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you take this route you won’t have a tech support person say; “We can fix this, but you’re going to need a knife, a roll of duct tape and a car battery.

If you are in need of Agent Office Software than look no further then AOExperts.com. AOExperts.com are expert in the field of Agent Office Support .

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Tax Foreclosure Properties: Do Your Research

March 8th, 2010

It seems that there are unending avenues that you can choose to invest your money. Real estate is one method that is sure to pay for itself over time. It doesn’t matter if you intend to purchase a property and turn it into a rental property or if you plan on fixing up a house that is in poor condition and then sell it, you are going to make money, especially if you consider it to be a long-term investment. If you want to get the best deal on purchasing property, then Tax Foreclosure Properties may be the best decision you ever make.

Don’t know what they are? Tax Foreclosure Properties are properties that are being claimed by the government because the homeowner hasn’t paid their taxes. This can occur with either the state or federal government entities. In both cases, the homeowner is given plenty of opportunities to pay their taxes and it typically takes a couple of years to get to the point of a tax foreclosure. Once this occurs the debt is typically so large the homeowner has no hope of paying it off. The government will then step in and sell the home at auction, with the starting bid at the amount of the taxes owed so that some money can at least be made.

As you can see, this is an excellent way for an investor to get a great deal on a home for investment purposes. In some cases a home can sell for as little as $5,000. It is important to note, however, that the starting price may not be the ending price, especially if the home is in a great neighborhood or in excellent condition. In these cases the home may end up costing thousands of dollars, but typically they will still be far less than market value.

Tracking down the Tax Foreclosure Properties in your area or elsewhere can be complicated if you try to do it on your own. While government entities want to sell these homes, they often hide the information (unintentionally of course) by not making it clear where their foreclosure lists are. In some cities they don’t even list them on a website, the information might be posted on a bulletin board in a municipal building or some other place you may not think to look at first.

Thank goodness there is an easier way to find Tax Foreclosure Properties. There are many companies that sell lists of properties that are going up for auction. These lists are great because they offer a list of properties around the country rather for one specific place. It is up to you to determine who is offering the best deal for the list that you want. This way you keep your money and how fast you want to move all up to you.

It’s important to do good research for your success. Investing for your future is important. You have a unique opportunity to select from a wide variety of Tax Foreclosure Properties because of the poor economy. You should take full advantage of this situation and purchase property as an investment option. The ROI is huge and the risk in generally low.

If you’re looking to find the best strategies on Tax Foreclosure Properties, then visit www.noriskinvestor.com to find the best advice on Tax Lien Foreclosure Properties and other real estate investment opportunities.

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The Most Creative Real Estate Investing

March 1st, 2010

It’s always a good idea to invest creatively. People invest in all kinds of different things hoping to make a good profit. Today, real estate is one of the best opportunities. Tax lien foreclosures are bringing in a great deal of money for those who know how to use them to their advantage. For anyone who has some spare money and wants to do some Creative Real Estate Investing, there are plenty of places to find out how.

There are plenty of sites on the Internet offer support and instruction on how to best make a profit from these properties that have been foreclosed upon because of tax liens. Some will even take on students and help them with every step of the procedure until they know exactly what they are doing. It is a great way to make money but there are some things that person should know before delving into the world of high finance with tax liens as well as many risks.

Liens with tax penalties are placed on properties in which taxes were not paid. When the taxes aren’t paid, the county or city that needs the tax money to offer services to the citizens declines. Therefore, the property goes up for sale to pay the money to the jurisdiction. It is considered Creative Real Estate Investing by purchasing these properties for the amount of the lien. Some real bargains can be found, but research in the property is important before putting your money down when investing.

Almost all tax lien foreclosures take place on the courthouse steps at a specific time. You only need to be there with the promise of payment and most likely a certain percentage to hand over immediately upon winning the auction.

There are people that can help you do the research and make sure that you have analyzed all that is important to be successful in your property investment. That includes answering questions and giving support when needed, providing lists of properties in a certain area where you are interested in buying, and keeping you updated on how many others are interested and the condition of the property you are interested in purchasing.

For the skilled investor, Creative Real Estate Investing involves a lot of know-how in doing it correctly so that you can make a profit. Once you have learned how it all works and where to look for good investment property, you will be on your way to making a good income. Investing in real estate is one of the most lucrative ways to make money. JUst remember to do your homework.

If you’re looking to find the best strategies on Creative Real Estate Investing, then visit www.noriskinvestor.com to find the best advice on Tax Lien Auctions and other real estate investment opportunities.

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Exactly What To Take Into Consideration While Considering A Decorative Concrete Company In Alabama

February 12th, 2010

In the state of Alabama, there is a number of decorative concrete businesses to choose from in just about every part of the state. Crucial key elements to finding a good one will be the identical process which you undergo for almost any other service business. The basics really are exactly the same to find a good contactor out there for the purpose you’re looking to accomplish, whether it happens to be for residential or commercial decorative concrete purposes. Trying to keep most of these issues in mind will make it easier to just be sure you will not encounter any kind of problems later on when hiring these types of businesses.

1. It is worth checking for recommendations coming from previous clients

If you are looking for the right quality craftsmanship, you first will need to look to what the former clients of the actual company have two say regarding it’s performance. Referrals offer a superb kick off point for the purpose of acquiring a thought with regards to the excellence of work, customer satisfaction, and also the small business integrity of that specific concrete company. Realise decorative concrete seriously is not something that most people take lightly. A oversight can be very costly. For that matter it can cost you thousands of dollars to make an error in judgement concerning a contractor, therefore you should learn a little more about the company that you elect to get the job done.

2. Browse the portfolio of decorative concrete concepts

Any reputable decorative concrete professional will hold a portfolio of pictures of designs that they have completed. Virtually all will present an image of before, throughout, and right after the project is completed. This will help you know a little bit with regards to the procedure that they undergo and what they can attain with the finalized outcome. If their happens to be absolutely no portfolio, either they are a brand new company or they’ve got low quality work that they are usually embarrassed to show off. Either way you may not be prepared to take that threat, so keep this at heart when choosing an Alabama decorative concrete professional.

3. Get an accurate quotation in writing on your decorative concrete job

The most critical thing take into consideration is obtaining a finalized quote on a project coupled with getting the business to put it in writing. Then you need to be sure it that you simply keep the firm to the actual stipulations of the contract. Often times you’ll notice some decorative concrete specialists might choose to keep elevating the price of the undertaking passed the initial budget. This is frequently referred to as project creep. This process can lead to you paying way too much to get a final assignment, and then sometimes can lead to a contractor bailing out on your project with the project 50 % finished, which is never good.

4. Consult with the Better Business Bureau

The following is without doubt one of the things that I continually like to do with any potential company I plan to contact. Which will be to contact the BBB. The BBB reports on lots of different kinds of deceptive companies or services that consumers need to beware of. If you can find any open disputes, it is going to be placed on the Better Business Bureau website. Hence check it out, and also give them a phone call in case you don’t see the organization listed. It never hurts to ask.

5. Agree to a deadline with your decorative concrete contractor

When you receive the estimate on your project in a contract also make sure that you developed a deadline for ultimate completion of the project. This will make sure that you get your project done on time, and will hold the company to this timeframe. This can ensure that your service provider doesn’t leave your installation to proceed to the up coming project before they are finished with yours. Getting it stipulated in writing is what is important. Also make sure the contractor signs the contract in ink and on paper.

6. Do not just opt for the 1st service provider which you come across, spend some time looking.

Just like anything else in life, it is important that you spend some time and think about all of your alternatives prior to making your final selection. By no means yield to high pressure sales tactics that seem to pin people in a corner. Review all your options and then come to a decision. With regards to decorative concrete, you’ll be glad you did. Under-going the basic steps whenever you are searching for a decorative concrete business, will reduce the chance that you’ll be scammed and that you will get exactly what you are looking for.

Huntsville Alabama Decorative Concrete and Huntsville AL Decorative Concrete

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Tax Deed Sales: The Way To Find Money

February 11th, 2010

Ever been given something for not doing anything? It is simple human nature. The problem is that there are very few things in life that are free. However, there are some things in life that you can get for next to nothing, and believe it or not, property is one of those things, that is if you happen to buy property through tax deed sales. This really does work.

Every person in the United States that owes property is required by law to pay property taxes. However, things happen and there are those individuals who find that they cannot pay the taxes that they owe. If this happens, after all efforts are made to collect those taxes, the local government that the taxes are owed to will put the property up for sale to get their money.

Tax deed sales work in one of two ways. Either the deed is sold to investors who allow homeowners the opportunity to eventually buy back their property for the cost of the deed plus interest. However, the more common way for local governments to handle unpaid property taxes is to put the property up for public auction. This is called a tax deed sale.

The great thing about this is that you may end up purchasing a piece of property for a lot less than you would if you were to seek out a property for sale in a traditional way. However, it is important to note that this is not always the case.

If you hear of some land at the auction for five thousand dollars, for example, and you expect to only pay five thousand dollars, you may end up being sorely disappointed, tax deed sales don’t often work that way. An auction means that the price will probably increase from the base price, so be prepared to pay a tiny bit more for what you want.

You don’t have to be a part of a club or purchase a list to find these tax deed sales and everyone is welcome to the auctions. However, some lists are very inexpensive and it can be very convenient to have a list all in one place rather than doing searches for yourself. This is especially true if you are purchasing property as an investment and you don’t care what state it happens to be in. This is a situation where using someone elses information will make things easy.

Learn more about tax deed sales. Stop by No Risk Investor where you can find out all about government tax foreclosure properties and how you can profit by them.

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Property Tax Sales Will Work For You.

February 8th, 2010

There are many people who would like to invest in property but don’t have the money to do so. Even in a tough housing market, where homes are selling for thousands of dollars less than market value, purchasing property can still be expensive.

However, there is another option that many people fail to utilize and that is purchasing property through property tax sales. This is an excellent way to purchase property, sometime for literally pennies on the dollar, and purchasing the place of your dreams.

So, how does a home get into the position of being sold as a tax sale? Well, it is actually very simple. Someone purchase a piece of property. Sometimes they build a home on it or sometimes they use it for raising animals, or simply to appreciate in value. However, something happens and they cannot pay the taxes that they own on their property (there are property taxes in every state and anyone who owns property must pay those taxes). The local government then contacts those individuals and gives them the opportunity to pay.

All throughout the process, the local government gives the individuals plenty of opportunities to pay. The government wants their money so they will allow payments to be made while they put a lien on the property (so the owners can’t sell it without paying off their debt first). Once the property enters into property tax sales, then that is a sure sign that the owner is extremely delinquent in their payments and the local government has no other option on how to reclaim the money owed.

Typically, but not always, these properties are put into property tax sales auctions. These auctions are open to the public; however, it is not always easy for a typical person to find these auctions, they have to know where to look. Additionally, the auction of the property will start at the amount owed on the property and then increase from their, so there is no guarantee that you are going to get a piece of property for pennies on the dollar, but there is a chance that you will.

Once you pay the taxes owed on the property (or the amount that the auction comes to), you receive the deed for the property and you owe it free and clear. Just don’t forget that you too will have to pay taxes on the property you buy or your will end up in the same situation as the previous owners.

If you want to find out more about property tax sales, then visit No Risk Investor and see how to choose from among the best tax lien foreclosure properties.

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Tax Lien Certificates: The Answer To Your Investing Questions

February 1st, 2010

Every now and then, something happens and someone fails to pay their taxes. In many cases this is a simple oversight and they make arrangements with the government to pay their taxes and everything goes on as normal. However, in those situations where the individuals do not make good on the taxes that they owe, the government can (and usually will) place a lien on property owned by the person who previously owned the property.

Generally the lien is placed on their home; however, any property owned by the person can have a lien on it. The government can hold onto the lien for as long as they want, or they can sell the tax lien certificate to an investor and allow them to do what they want with it.

Decisions can then be made about the property thanks to the tax lien certificate. In most cases, an investor will charge the person who owns the property with the lien on it a monthly fee until the price of the lien, plus interest is paid off. However, if they believe that the person is not going to pay what they owe, they are able to sell the property to get the money that is now owed to them.

With tax lien certificates the person who owes the taxes could find themselves in a sticky situation. That is because no matter how little they owe, their house can have a lien on it and if the government so chooses they can sell the lien to an investor. For example, if you owe the government five thousand dollars and they put a lien on your two hundred thousand dollar home, you could find yourself losing your home over that five thousand dollar debt.

While this is terrible for the homeowner, for investors this is a great opportunity. While most investors will hold on to tax lien certificates and use them for long term investments, some do choose to demand payment if full and end up getting a home for the price of the taxes owed. Typically, however, this doesn’t happen. Most homeowners are relieved to have an opportunity to arrange payments and this makes for an excellent investment, sometimes a very long term investment depending on how much the person owes.

When looking for a good investment, then perhaps tax lien certificates are for you. Sometimes you can find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Learn more about tax lien certificates. Stop by No Risk Investor where you can find out all about government tax foreclosure properties and how you can profit by them.

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Out Of The Box Creative Real Estate Investing

January 30th, 2010

A non-traditional method for selling real estate is called creative real estate investing. The most typical way of purchasing property is by combining personal funds, such as a down payment, and borrowed funds. Most Americans must find some way of arranging finances in order to buy a home but because they can not be afford to pay with their own money, they must find some other way of getting enough money to purchase the house, such as a lending institution. Some ways of investing in property does not correspond with this type of investing and therefor becomes creative real estate investing.

The first route one can try is called an option, or a contract between a buyer and seller that gives the buyer the right to buy or sell a particular asset on or before the option’s expiration time. The price that the asset is sold for is an agreed price, or strike price. The seller would then collect money for granting the option. The value of each option is determined by certain standards that have been developed by groups of qualified thinkers.

Begin as a bird-dog. A bird-dog is a person that is just beginning in their investing career; they find good deals for other investors and usually get paid when a deal closes. Creative real estate investing can also fall under flipping, which is buying a highly under priced piece of property and quickly reselling it at market price. These low priced properties are usually sold by those in distress, such as those effected by the loss of a job or some other crisis.

Another way to collect property is to use a land trust. They have been used to own properties in foreclosure allowing homeowners to save their homes and investors to see outstanding returns. When the a borrower is and remains a beneficiary of a trust and is not related to transferring rights of occupancy of the property, a land trust can also bring the benefit of not causing “due-on-sale” clauses to force the financing or duplicating thereof to be able to refinance any number of properties.

Large numbers of people or companies that buy large quantities of homes are called wholesalers, many times, 50 or more at a time, from the band, and then resell them at a small markup to move them quickly. Those in creative real estate investing will more commonly secure properties with no money down and do a “quick flip,” a process that gives huge returns. Wholesalers will usually work on some sort of problem, such as the owner’s limitations or the property itself.

If you want to find out more about creative real estate investing, then visit No Risk Investor and see how to choose from among the best tax lien foreclosure properties.

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